Manager, Research Administration

Department: WCAS Administration
Salary/Grade: EXS/10

Job Summary:

The Manager of Research Administration for the Departments of Physics & Astronomy and Earth & Planetary Sciences oversees a team of research administrators that support the department's expansive research programs. The ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge of research administration, excellent leadership skills, and a track record of developing and implementing efficient processes.

This position is 100% full time and offers a hybrid work schedule.

Specific Responsibilities:

Pre-Award

• Provides creative, strategic leadership in pre-award administration of research grants &/or contracts, expertly balancing customer service and compliance needs.
• Establishes procedures at the large unit level related to pre-award administration.
• Coordinates federal contract proposals, international proposals, and proposals with difficult/troublesome terms and large sponsored agreements with industry partners.
• Uses metrics to monitor report and adjust unit pre-award performance.

Post-Award

• Provides expertise regarding post-award research administration.
• Ensures that proposed projects meet goals of dept. and that necessary resources are available.
• Manages and follows through on high-risk situations.
• Coordinates or oversees application completion and detailed review & submission.
• Interprets sponsor guidelines.
• Creates procedures regarding day-to-day administrative & financial functions.
• Resolves issues with collaborators &/or other involved parties.
• Establishes procedures at the large unit level related to post-award administration.

Oversight

• Uses metrics to monitor post-award performance.
• Recommends & facilitates procedural changes in grant &/or contract administration.
• Recommends policy to enhance research administration.
• Creates, implements & oversees programs, policies and practices designed to ensure compliance with all appropriate NU policies and practices as well as local, state, federal, agency & sponsor rules, regulations & requirements regarding grant &/or contract administration.
• Ensures resolution of all compliance problems & issues, including those involving research safety, animal subjects, human subjects and conflict of interest.

Financial Management

• Ensures that budgets are created, proposed & administered in a fiscally responsible manner.
• Resolves complex issues such as determining appropriate & reasonable cost-sharing percentages on complex grants involving multiple locations; effort reporting problems; under- or over-spent grant budgets; recommends changes to eliminate deficit balances; overdrafts.
• Provides information to senior management that is used for department budgeting purposes.

Staff Management:

• Hires, evaluates, promotes, &/or counsel staff.
• Oversees training for all staff regarding research administration in unit.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• At least seven years research administration experience.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Organization, time management, detail oriented
• Multi-tasking, communication
• Self-starter, diplomatic, pro-active, manage stress
• Managing people

Target hiring range for this position will be between $88,000 - $110,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.

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